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Global prevalence of polypharmacy among the COVID-19 patients: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Ghasemi, Hooman; Darvishi, Niloofar; Salari, Nader; Hosseinian-Far, Amin; Akbari, Hakimeh; Mohammadi, Masoud.
  • Ghasemi H; Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
  • Darvishi N; Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
  • Salari N; Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
  • Hosseinian-Far A; Department of Business Systems and Operations, University of Northampton, Northampton, UK.
  • Akbari H; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran.
  • Mohammadi M; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Gerash University of Medical Sciences, Gerash, Iran. Masoud.mohammadi1989@yahoo.com.
Trop Med Health ; 50(1): 60, 2022 Aug 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2021354
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Polypharmacy has traditionally been defined in various texts as the use of 5 or more chronic drugs, the use of inappropriate drugs, or drugs that are not clinically authorized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of polypharmacy among the COVID-19 patients, and the side effects, by systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS:

This study was performed by systematic review method and in accordance with PRISMA 2020 criteria. The protocol in this work is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021281552). Particular databases and repositories have been searched to identify and select relevant studies. The quality of articles was assessed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale checklist. Heterogeneity of the studies was measured using the I2 test.

RESULTS:

The results of meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of polypharmacy in 14 studies with a sample size of 189,870 patients with COVID-19 is 34.6% (95% CI 29.6-40). Studies have shown that polypharmacy is associated with side effects, increased morbidity and mortality among patients with COVID-19. The results of meta-regression analysis reported that with increasing age of COVID-19 patients, the prevalence of polypharmacy increases (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION:

The most important strength of this study is the updated search to June 2022 and the use of all databases to increase the accuracy and sensitivity of the study. The most important limitation of this study is the lack of proper definition of polypharmacy in some studies and not mentioning the number of drugs used for patients in these studies.

CONCLUSION:

Polypharmacy is seen in many patients with COVID-19. Since there is no definitive cure for COVID-19, the multiplicity of drugs used to treat this disease can affect the severity of the disease and its side effects as a result of drug interactions. This highlights the importance of controlling and managing prescription drugs for patients with COVID-19.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Reviews / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Language: English Journal: Trop Med Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41182-022-00456-x

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Reviews / Systematic review/Meta Analysis Language: English Journal: Trop Med Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41182-022-00456-x